Why do people self harm?

[FreshCrabs]

I sometimes do it myself when I'm frustrated and I don't even know why

 

[trist]

I do it when the mental/emotional pain gets too overwhelming and I'm on the verge of making an unprepared suicide attempt

 

[gunmetalblue11]

For the endorphins, out of habit, growing too accustomed to pain, to help with depersonalisation.

 

[wishiwasalittlecool]

For me, I like the pain it gives me throughout the day. Pretty good distraction from the terrible things in life. My friends are pretty anti people who self harm, so the constant pain takes away the iffy feeling from hearing them insulting people who self harm LOL. The physical pain keeps me grounded, especially now when it feels like most of my close friends are abandoning me because im "too emo."

 

[ZornTheDreaded]

I really want to CTB but I'm too scared to do self harm like cutting

 

[Ilovemycats]

Personally I do it because it feels good to an extend- I often feel happier after it. (*￣∇￣)

 

[JustDreamer]

I haven't done it in almost a year now but the best way I could explain it is have you ever stubbed your toe and the pain was so unbearable you had to to just stop moving for a moment and just focus on the pain and not think about anything else because it hurts so bad?

When I'm mentally overwhelmed and can't think because I'm in mental distress the self harm becomes similar to stubbing my toe. It quiets the thoughts and makes me focus on the pain I'm physically doing to myself.

Not healthy at all but it worked, lol. I hope that helps and that you're feeling alright. Sending love.

 

[Ungeizefer]

The only way to describe it, for me at least, is brutal self-punishment and a sense of relief I get from it. I enjoy it, to a point where it sickens myself. I want to cut so deep and feel every sharp sting. It's addicting, I don't want to stop. It's the only thing that gives me pleasure, directing my suicidal thoughts somewhere else.

 

[TheEmptyVoid]

I really want to CTB but I'm too scared to do self harm like cutting

And I don't want to get sepsis (which is the worse way to die) all because my cuts are open to air and when touched, you would get sepsis. I think nitrogen or helium is the painless way to go, you can't "feel" lack of oxygen, it's the co2 build up from restricted breathing that you can't exhale as the cause of the feeling of suffocation, but nitrogen and helium doesn't cause co2 build up, I can't help anymore because I can't help people CTB.

 

[ZornTheDreaded]

And I don't want to get sepsis (which is the worse way to die) all because my cuts are open to air and when touched, you would get sepsis. I think nitrogen or helium is the painless way to go, you can't "feel" lack of oxygen, it's the co2 build up from restricted breathing that you can't exhale as the cause of the feeling of suffocation, but nitrogen and helium doesn't cause co2 build up, I can't help anymore because I can't help people CTB.

H2S seems better just because of how fast it can cause LOC

 

[TheEmptyVoid]

H2S seems better just because of how fast it can cause LOC

Oxygen concentration under 3% in gas causes LOC in 5-10 seconds when hyperventilated.

 

[Glovesexguy]

I SH when I feel overwhelmed.
I have lived with chronic pain for years and years, but ironically I like the pain I cause while SH. It is MY pain, I am in control of it. I can start or stop whenever I want. My SH pain feels very different (in a good way) and it overrised the agony I live in day after day.
I cut where no one will see it, and I hit myself with blunt objects when cutting is not an option.
It feels good, but for some reason I am afraid or maybe just embarrassed to tell anyone.
It was nice letting it out now :)

 

[Riven]

depends on the day. sometimes its because its the only thing that can make me feel better, sometimes its because i deserve it, and others its just out of boredom. i know the pain and/or endorphins are a decent part of why I like it, but tbh the blood is also another big reason. i find it quite pretty to look at :)

 

[dead dav]

It's a type of control when I get mentally overwhelmed I punch slap and strangled myself the pain takes my mind off the mental pain helps me to ground

 

[Forever Sleep]

I don't do it much and it tends to be milder forms- slapping myself in the face, hitting my head. But for me, it's when I'm really annoyed with myself. Usually because I've just made a big, stupid mistake. I suppose it's more a form of punishment for me.

I'm too squemish to intentionally cut myself but, if I do it by accident, I do also feel a sense of release in a way. To feel like my inner struggles are being expressed. So- I can see why people do it for that reason- to kind of physically fully realise the hidden pain they feel.